A bank account number is a unique string of numbers and, sometimes, letters and other characters that identify a particular bank account and grant access to it. This often is one of the most important account numbers people have for transacting business.
Key Takeaways
A bank account number is a unique identifier of the owner of a bank account and permits access to it.
In online banking, account numbers are vulnerable to fraud.
Multi-factor identification and other security measures work to protect bank account numbers, along with passwords.
You can find your bank account number on the bottom of a paper check, just after the routing number.
How a Bank Account Number Works
A bank checking account's number is located at the bottom of the paper check. You'll see three sets of numbers in a computer-readable font at the bottom of the check:
The first set of numbers on the left is the nine-digit bank routing number.
The middle numbers are youraccount number.
The third number is the number of the check.
Payroll processing offices use checking account numbers to set up direct deposit payments for employees.
Bank account numbers are vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. This is why you have to answer questions about your mother's maiden name when you try to make routine changes to an account like your bank account. The means of making it difficult for hackers to steal account numbers have in recent years taken the form of password managers along with multi-factor authentication, or MFA, systems.
Businesses now often employ a hard-to-hack master password to unlock an electronic vault of customers' bank account numbers and other sensitive data. Consumers are becoming accustomed to multifactor authentication, which adds another step before granting access to a bank account, such as requiring a fingerprint, voice activation, or a time-sensitive code sent to the cellphone number on record.
These are just some of the means of protecting users’ bank account numbers in an increasingly vulnerable online environment.
The traditional check layout applies to mostpersonal checks, but some business checks and bank-printed checks have other formats.
On a paper check, the nine-digit routing number identifies specific financial institutions within the U.S. The number identifies the check as having been issued by a federal- or state-chartered bank that maintains an account with the Federal Reserve.
This system dates back to 1910 and was developed initially as a way to help bank clerks sort through piles of checks and assign them to the correct drawer. Today, electronic services use them in much the same way for wire transfers, to draw a payment from a deposit at the correct institution.
The individual's bank account number works together with the routing number to identify the right account holder at the right institution.
How to Locate Your Bank Account Number
You can find your bank account number on your monthly bank statement, or by visiting a branch of your bank.
If you are using a checking account, the account number is also printed on your paper checks. You can find it printed between the bank's routing number and the check number, as shown below.
How Do You Find the Account Number on a Check?
You can find your bank account number printed at the bottom of your paper check. This is the second sequence of numbers, printed between the nine-digit routing number and the shorter check number. This number can also be found on your account statement.
How Long Is a Bank Account Number?
A bank account number is usually eight to 12 digits long, but some account numbers have up to 17 digits. Note that this is not the same as your debit card number or credit card number.
How Do You Find Out Your Account Number?
You can find your bank account number on your bank statements, printed at the bottom of a paper check, or by logging on to the bank's website. If you can't find it in these ways, try visiting a bank branch in person.
The Bottom Line
A bank account number is a unique identifier for each account at a bank or other financial institution that you have. Along with the routing number, the bank uses this number to make payments and accept deposits. Due to the increase in identity theft and fraud, it is important to actively protect your bank account number and other banking information.
The bank account number is typically an 8 to 12 digit number that identifies an individual account within the bank's system. Much like the routing number is used to specify the bank location, the account number is what is attached to you, the account holder.
A bank account number is a unique identifier of the owner of a bank account and permits access to it. In online banking, account numbers are vulnerable to fraud. Multi-factor identification and other security measures work to protect bank account numbers, along with passwords.
But if these numbers get into the wrong hands, you could fall victim to severe financial fraud. If someone has your bank account and routing number, they could make unauthorized ACH transfers and payments, create counterfeit checks and even launder money through your account.
A bank account is a financial account maintained by a bank or other financial institution in which the financial transactions between the bank and a customer are recorded.
The account number on a debit card technically refers to the 16-digit primary account number (PAN), the unique card identifier located on the front of the card.
For segregation, banks use different codes at the beginning of the account number. In India, public sector banks have their pattern and usually follow an 11 digit pattern. However, private sector banks use either a 12 digit account or a 14 digit account number.
Usually, a Bank account in India consists of 11-16 digits. Public sector banks such as SBI, follow 11 digits pattern for their account number, starting from 2. It has 17 digits, in the case of the online SBI portal which starts with six zeros, making it the longest in banking history.
When someone asks for your bank account number, they want your money. Simple as that. If you want something from this person, you can authorize a onetime payment from your bank, or a series of payments starting and ending at specific times.
To keep your information safe, we suggest only providing your BSB and account number to people you know and trust (such as family, friends or your employer etc.)
Banks clearly suggest not sharing your bank account details unless you are expecting a fund transfer. Even in the case of fund transfer, make sure that the person crediting your bank account is trustworthy. Do Not Email Your Account Number: Mailing your bank account number to individuals can also be dangerous.
There are many different kinds of bank accounts, each with their own pros and cons. Common account types include checking, savings, money market, CDs, IRAs and brokerage accounts.
The four basic types are checking account, savings account, certificate of deposit and money market account. Each kind of account serves a different purpose. For instance, a checking account is geared toward covering everyday expenses, while a savings account is designed to help achieve short-term financial goals.
In a bank account, the account name refers to the name of the account holder. Account names are typically formatted as "Firstname Lastname" for individuals and "Business Name" for businesses.
At the bottom of a check, you will see three groups of numbers. The first group is your routing number, the second is your account number and the third is your check number.
The difference between a routing number and an account number is that a routing number identifies a specific bank while an account number identifies a personal bank account. The routing number is the first nine-digit number in the bottom left corner of a check. It's immediately followed by the account number.
Cheque books, passbooks and account statements have your account number printed on them. You can check your bank account number online with mobile and internet banking. You can also visit your bank branch to know your account number.
Is the checking account number on a debit card? No. The number shown on the debit card is the card number, not the checking account number. The checking account number can be found along the bottom of a check, on a bank statement, or through an online banking platform.
Most banks also print the bank account number on the front or back of your bank card. However, this is not to be confused with the card number, which is the 16 digit number, usually placed in the middle of your bank card.
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